Sharing and implementing instant messaging environments

ABSTRACT

Sharing an instant messaging environment is described. The instant messaging environment is selected from a set of stored instant messaging environments. An instant messaging environment identifier corresponding to the selected instant messaging environment is transmitted from a transmitting instant messaging application to a receiving instant messenger application. The instant messaging environment identifier is received and the stored instant messaging environment corresponding to the instant messaging environment identifier is retrieved. The instant messaging environment is activated in the receiving instant messaging application.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to the U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/331,331 entitled “INSTANT MESSAGING ENVIRONMENTS”filed Jul. 6, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference for allpurposes. The present application is related to U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/729,818, filed on Dec. 5, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a message exchange system.More specifically, messaging environments that affect how a messagingapplication presents messages and interacts with a user are disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Instant messaging has become one of the most popular applications on theInternet. Instant messaging programs generally allow users to send andreceive messages. The messages are generated and displayed by an instantmessaging client on each end and an instant messaging server may performvarious functions to facilitate the transfer of messages.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an instant messaging system operatingover the Internet. An instant messaging client creates an instantmessaging window 102 on a computer that generally includes a historywindow 104 containing messages that have been exchanged in the past, anda new text window 106 for new messages. In addition, the instantmessaging client may display various menus and buttons that activatecommon instant messaging functions such as changing font, ringinganother user, inserting symbols, etc. The instant messaging window alsogenerally includes a space where the sender and the recipient of themessage are identified.

A message server 112 is also connected to the Internet. In variousinstant messaging systems, the message server may perform differentfunctions such as receiving messages and transferring them, replacingcertain text with symbols, or otherwise modifying or relaying messages.A second instant messenger client also creates an instant messagingwindow 122 that also includes a history window and a new text window.Instant messaging window 122 displays a message sent from instantmessaging window 102 via message server 112. It should be noted that theclient software that runs on the instant messenger clients and theserver software that runs on the instant messenger server may bereferred to collectively or separately herein as an instant messengerapplication.

Each instant messenger client provides various user interface commandsthat allow a user to interact with the instant messenger window invarious ways, and, to some extent, configure the window to the user'staste. For example, the user may select a color for the history windowfrom among various colors available to the user. In this manner, theuser configures his own instant messenger window to have a desiredappearance. In addition, a user may turn certain features such asringing, on or off.

The instant messaging client may also be configured to react to certaincontent received as a message by running a routine or performing somefunction. For example, when a ring is received, the instant messagingapplication may be configured to react to the ring by playing a sound,shaking, or executing some other action. The instant messagingapplication may also be configured not to respond to such a ring. Also,the instant messaging application may be configured to insert an imageor play a sound when certain text is included in a message. Thus, a useris generally able to exercise a certain amount of control over theappearance and operation of his own instant messaging application.However, users are generally unable to affect the environment or stateof another user's instant messaging window.

Thus, users are able to send messages and configure their own instantmessaging applications to perform certain actions based on messagecontent. However, users are generally unable to configure other user'sinstant messaging windows to react to messages and provide otherfunctions or displays based on a selected messaging environment. Itwould be useful if a reliable, secure system and method could beprovided for instant messaging users to create or select instantmessaging environments and share those environments among themselves.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system and method for storing, configuring, selecting and usinginstant messaging environments in an instant messaging conversation isdisclosed. An instant messaging environment may affect the behavior andappearance of an instant messaging conversation. A sending instantmessaging application can specify an instant messaging environmentidentifier along with a message and cause a receiving instant messagingapplication to implement the environment corresponding to theenvironment identifier. The selected instant messaging environment mayaffect the state of the instant messaging application in a number ofways. The environment may affect how user interface commands areprocessed by the instant messaging application as well as the appearanceof the instant messaging window and the manner in which information issent and processed by the instant messaging application. In someembodiments, an instant messaging application may be configured toaccept specified environments from certain users and not from others.Instant messaging environments may be downloaded from one or morecentral instant messaging servers so that users may obtain newenvironments to specify to other users. When the instant messagingapplication receives an environment identifier for which the instantmessaging application does not have the corresponding environment, thatinstant messaging application may also download the environment from thecentral instant messaging server.

It should be appreciated that the present invention can be implementedin numerous ways, including as a process, an apparatus, a system, adevice, a method, or a computer readable medium such as a computerreadable storage medium or a computer network wherein programinstructions are sent over optical or electronic communication links.Several inventive embodiments of the present invention are describedbelow.

In one embodiment, sharing an instant messaging environment includesselecting the instant messaging environment from a set of stored instantmessaging environments; transmitting an instant messaging environmentidentifier corresponding to the selected instant messaging environmentfrom a transmitting instant messaging application to a receiving instantmessenger application; receiving the instant messaging environmentidentifier; retrieving the stored instant messaging environmentcorresponding to the instant messaging environment identifier; andactivating the instant messaging environment in the receiving instantmessaging application.

In one embodiment, processing a user interface command in an instantmessaging application includes receiving the user interface command; andprocessing the user interface command in a manner specified by apredetermined instant messaging environment.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will bepresented in more detail in the following detailed description and theaccompanying figures which illustrate by way of example the principlesof the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be readily understood by the followingdetailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, andin which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an instant messaging system operatingover the Internet.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an instant messaging system thatimplements instant messaging environments stored by instant messagingapplications.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating how an instant messaging environment isimplemented using a browser control window.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a process executed by an instantmessaging application when an environment identifier is received.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating in further detail a process that isexecuted when the start function is called in step 418 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a process implemented to load anenvironment as shown in step 406 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a process implemented to clean up anold environment.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a process executed by the instantmessaging application in response to a user interface command.

FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a cartoon instant messagingenvironment such as the one described above.

FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating an environment where a snow theme hasbeen implemented.

FIG. 9C is a diagram illustrating another environment where the abilityof an environment to interact with another application is illustrated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention isprovided below. While the invention is described in conjunction withthat preferred embodiment, it should be understood that the invention isnot limited to any one embodiment. On the contrary, the scope of theinvention is limited only by the appended claims and the inventionencompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents. Forthe purpose of example, numerous specific details are set forth in thefollowing description in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthe present invention. The present invention may be practiced accordingto the claims without some or all of these specific details. For thepurpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technicalfields related to the invention has not been described in detail so thatthe present invention is not unnecessarily obscured.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an instant messaging system thatimplements instant messaging environments stored by instant messagingapplications. It should be noted that, while this description refersextensively to instant messaging systems, the disclosed environments arealso applied to other messaging systems in different embodiments. Ingeneral, an instant messaging system refers to any real time or nearreal time messaging or information exchange system. Many such systemswill buffer messages sent to a participant who is temporarilyunavailable or offline. A notification may be sent to the participant.An instant messaging environment may be specified by one instantmessaging application to change the environment or state of anotherinstant messaging application. A first instant messaging client, 202interacts with a conversation user interface 204 that displaysinformation to and receives messages from a user.

It should be noted that the term “application” as used herein isintended to refer to any client application, server application,distributed application, self contained application or combinationthereof. An application may be implemented in any appropriate manner,including being embedded in a chip or being loaded into memory orfirmware.

In some embodiments, the conversation user interface includes aconventional instant messaging window as shown in FIG. 1 with a historywindow for displaying previous messages and a new message window forcomposing new messages. In other embodiments, the conversation userinterface may be dramatically different. For example, in one embodiment,the conversation user interface of the history window is modified toresemble a cartoon interface that shows the participants in instantmessaging as comic characters or avatars having a conversation with textbubbles used to list messages back and forth. The conversation userinterface may also include multiple history windows and other menusassociated with instant messaging features such as buddy lists,formatting options, etc. Instant messaging environments as describedherein may generally be applied to any type of conversation userinterface used to display and author messages.

User interface commands are transferred from the instant messengerclient to the conversation user interface to cause the conversation userinterface to display instant messages and their correspondingenvironment to the user. For example, an append command is used to senda new message received from another instant messaging application to theconversation user interface. The append command may simply cause thereceived message to be added to a history window if a genericenvironment is selected. It should be noted that the phrase “userinterface commands” as used herein is intended to encompass anyfunctions, behaviors, actions, capabilities, etc. that are features ofthe user interface or the instant messaging window.

Other instant messaging environments may cause the append command tobehave in different manners. For example, in the cartoon instantmessaging environment, the append command would cause the last textbubble generated for the character corresponding to the message senderto disappear and for a new text bubble containing the current message tobe created. Thus, the selected environment affects the state of theinstant messaging application so that a user interface command specifiedby the instant messaging client may have different effects depending onthe selected environment. A number of different environments may bestored in a cache 206.

In discussing the example shown, for the purpose of explanation, instantmessaging client 202 will be described as sending a message to instantmessaging client 212. In general, the two instant messaging clients willboth send and receive messages in turn. Instant messaging client 202sends a message that includes an environment identifier along with themessage over the Internet. Throughout this specification, the Internetis referred to as a medium over which messages are sent. The disclosedsystem also operates over any other appropriate network or internetworkincluding wireless networks, proprietary networks, intranets, local areanetworks, or wide area networks. In one embodiment, instant messagingserver 214 receives a message, processes the message and transfers themessage to instant messaging client 212. In other embodiments, a peer topeer messaging system is implemented in which an instant messagingserver need not necessarily become involved in transferring messagesbetween instant messaging clients.

If a messaging server does process messages, then the messaging servermay perform certain checks to determine whether the environmentidentifier as specified along with the message corresponds to a validenvironment. In some embodiments, environments may expire as a result ofa sponsorship or other type of agreement to maintain the environmentlapsing.

The message along with the environment identifier is received by instantmessaging client 212. Instant messaging client 212 also stores in acache 220 various environments that it has obtained in the past. Instantmessaging client 212 searches the cache for an environment thatcorresponds to the environment identifier received from instantmessaging client 202. If a corresponding environment is found, theninstant messaging client 212 changes the environment currentlyimplemented by it.

The current environment affects how user interface commands sent frominstant messaging client 212 to conversation user interface 216 areprocessed. In one embodiment, the instant messaging client may checkwhether or not an environment has expired before it implements thatenvironment. If an environment has expired, then the instant messagingclient may retrieve an updated environment from the instant messagingserver or another specified source via the network.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating how an instant messaging environment isimplemented using a browser control window. It should be noted that abrowser control window as used herein is intended to refer to anyprogram control or set of controls that can interpret and renderscripted pages. Also, any other appropriate system for renderinginformation may be used. Instant messaging window 300 is configured in asimilar manner as a conventional instant messaging window with a TOfield, a FROM field, and various function and menu buttons surrounding ahistory window 302. However, history window 302 is implemented in anunconventional manner. History window 302 is implemented using code in abrowser control that processes an HTML file which contains theformatting for the history window and controls the appearance of theinstant messaging cache that appears therein.

In one embodiment, the instant messaging environment is implemented byloading into memory one or more JavaScript objects that implementmethods and behaviors that override the history window's default methodsand behaviors. Of course, objects may be written in any appropriateprogramming language or system, such as ActiveX. In another embodiment,an Iframe that is not visible to the user includes JavaScript thatimplements the instant messaging environment. For example, if a messageis received by the instant messaging client and an append function iscalled to add that message to the history window, then the environmentembedded in the JavaScript code alters the way the browser controlprocesses the append function. For example, the JavaScript may include adifferent version of the append function that causes text to be appendedin a different manner than it would normally be appended if noenvironment were implemented by the code in the browser control. Itshould be noted that loading a JavaScript object without using an Iframeis generally preferred over the Iframe implementation for the sake ofspeed. This description refers to both implementations and it should benoted that when one implementation is referenced, that the otherimplementation (or any reasonable alternative implementation) may beused in different embodiments.

Once the code in the browser control has executed the modified appendfunction contained in the environment, the environment may either allowthe normal append function to be subsequently executed or may indicatethat the normal append function should not be executed, essentiallyreplacing the normal append function with the modified version. Forexample, an environment may cause a sound or visual effect to occurevery time a new line is appended to the history window. In such a case,the environment would cause the browser control upon receiving theappend function to first execute some JavaScript that would play thesound or create the visual effect and then return to the normal appendfunction for the text to be appended in a conventional manner. Inanother example, such as the one described above where the historywindow includes cartoon characters and text bubbles that contain theappended text, the normal append function would be replaced by theappend function contained in the environment and the normal appendfunction would not be called upon completion of the executed environmentcode.

Thus, implementing code in a browser control within an instant messagingwindow that renders an HTML allows user interface commands to beredefined. Different environments are stored simply as different sets ofcode. The JavaScript contained in the environment redefines certaincommands or functions by executing additional commands and then eithercalling or not calling the original function as desired.

It is important to note that, while the above described JavaScript codeimplementation of instant messaging environments has significantadvantages, it is by no means the only manner in which instant messagingenvironments are implemented. In different embodiments, instantmessaging environments are implemented by using different codestructures. In general, a certain set of code representing theenvironment is accessed by the instant messaging application. The set ofcode is loaded in response to the specification of an instant messagingenvironment identifier by another instant messaging application. Theenvironment may also be specified by the user of the application. By wayof example and without limitation, instant messaging environments may beimplemented using the wireless application protocol, XML, VRML, or anyother appropriate public or private standard.

The specified environment alters the response of the instant messagingapplication to actions performed by the user. As shown in FIG. 2, in oneembodiment, this alteration occurs by redefining commands or functionssent from the instant messaging client to the conversation userinterface. As explained further in FIG. 3, in one embodiment, this maybe implemented by using a browser control to render a history window andloading a JavaScript object that includes the function definitions. Itshould be apparent that many alternatives exist for implementing thissystem in a similar manner.

As a further example, another function that may be redefined is thescroll function. The user may indicate by dragging the mouse over anarrow button in the instant messaging window or by some other convenientmeans that he would like to scroll the history window. When such ascroll command is received, then a check is first made to determinewhether or not the scroll command has been redefined by a loadedenvironment. For example, an environment may contain a watermark that isintended to always show up in the history window. In such a case, thescroll function would be redefined so that the watermark does not scrollwithin the window while the rest of the text inside the window doesscroll.

As shown in FIG. 2, environment identifiers are passed between instantmessaging applications by including an environment identifier along witheach message. In one embodiment, there is a default environmentidentifier that is automatically passed between instant messagingapplications if no environment has been specified by either of theusers. Once one of the users specifies an environment, if the other useraccepts the environment then that user will then pass the acceptedenvironment identifier back to the user that originally specified theenvironment identifier, thus maintaining the environment. Environmentsmay be selected by users in a variety of ways. For example, audio orvideo user inputs may be processed or used to select or modify anenvironment. Also, a robot or other program communicating with a usermay select or modify an environment. Other context information about theuser's system, a specified default environment or set of environments,or message content may select or modify an environment. One environmentmay select or modify another environment and a central instant messagingserver may itself specify or modify an environment.

If an instant messaging application passes an environment identifierthat is not accepted by the receiving instant messaging application,then the receiving instant messaging application will send back thedefault environment identifier and the sending instant messagingapplication may either change back to the default environment ormaintain its own environment according to how it is configured. Thus,the instant messaging environment is either maintained or changed witheach message passed back and forth containing an environment identifier.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a process executed by an instantmessaging application when an environment identifier is received. Theenvironment identifier is received in step 400. Next, in step 402, it isdetermined whether the sender of the identifier is an authorized sender.In one embodiment, this is determined by whether the sender is a memberof a buddy list or other list maintained by the receiver of partieseligible to send environment identifiers and change the environment ofthe recipient's instant messaging application. If the sender is notauthorized, then control is transferred to step 420 and the message isdisplayed.

If the sender is authorized, then control is transferred to step 404 andit is determined whether the environment is already cached by thereceiving instant messaging application. If the environment is notcached by the receiving instant messaging application, then control istransferred to a step 406 where the environment is fetched. In oneembodiment, the environment is loaded by accessing a website that makesenvironments available for download. The environment identifier may besent to the website to identify the environment to be downloaded. Inother embodiments, the environment may be obtained from the sender andan authentication code or signature may be used to verify the integrityof the environment. Once the environment is downloaded, then control istransferred to step 410. If the environment is in the cache, thencontrol is transferred from step 404 to step 408 and it is determinedwhether the environment has expired.

In one embodiment, environments that are not found in a local cache areobtained from a secure source, such as a trusted website. This securemode of distribution prevents parties from using environments forhostile purposes. Since instant messaging participants merely refer toenvironments and the referred to environments are separately obtainedfrom a trusted source, participants do not intentionally orinadvertently send damaging environments to each other.

In one embodiment, whenever an environment is downloaded by an instantmessaging application, an expiration date is also provided to theinstant messaging application so that the instant messaging applicationcan determine if the environment has expired. In another embodiment, theinstant messaging application is required to always check with aninstant messaging server to determine whether an environment has expiredbefore that environment is implemented.

If the environment has expired, then control is transferred to step 406and the environment is loaded. If the environment has not expired, thencontrol is transferred to step 410 and an instant messaging window isopened if an instant messaging window is currently not open. Control isthen transferred to step 412 where it is determined whether a differentenvironment has been specified by the received environment identifier.If a different environment has not been specified, then the currentlyloaded environment may continue to be used and control is transferred tostep 420 where the message is displayed.

If the environment is different, then control is transferred to step 414and a clean up function is called for the old environment. Control isthen transferred to step 416 and the new environment is loaded intomemory. Next, in step 418, the start function is called for the newenvironment so that any code that should be executed when the newenvironment is loaded is executed. Control is then transferred to step420 and the message is displayed. The process ends at 422.

In one embodiment, an environment is downloaded from a website byreceiving a series of different types of files. The first type of fileis an initialization file that contains information regarding theenvironment that the instant messenger application can access withoutactually loading the environment. The initialization file may containitems such as a display name that determines how the environment will belisted in a formatting tool bar used to select environments and anexpiration that can be used by the instant messaging application todetermine that the environment is invalid and initiate a download of anupdated version of the environment.

The second type of file is the actual environment program file thatcontains, in one embodiment, encoded JavaScript that defines how theenvironment looks and behaves. The third type of file generallydownloaded is media file such as an image file, video clip, animation,sound clip, etc. that provides images or other media that are generallyused by the environment. In different embodiments, the different typesof files are encrypted or compressed either together or separately andencapsulated or signed as is deemed appropriate. The files may be senttogether using the .zip or the .cab or other archive or compressionformat, if desired. Preferably, at least the JavaScript objects areencrypted.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating in further detail a process that isexecuted when the start function is called in step 418 of FIG. 4. Theprocess begins at 500. In step 502, the background, color and style ofthe instant messaging window is changed to the background, color andstyle of the environment that has been selected. In step 504, the bodyof text is erased. It should be noted that in some environments, thebody of text may not be erased but in other environments the body oftext may need to be erased. For example, in the cartoon environmentshown above, only the current message being conveyed is shown in a textbubble. Next, in step 506, any images and watermarks associated with theenvironment are loaded. Then, in step 508, any overriding user interfacefunctions are loaded so that when a user interface command is received,the function called by the command may be changed to the functionspecified by the instant messaging environment. In step 509, anyanimations (such as falling snowflakes as shown below) associated withthe environment are started. The process ends at 510.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a process implemented to load anenvironment as shown in step 406 of FIG. 4. The process starts at 600.In a step 602, the application logs on to a website that includesenvironments available for download. In step 604, the applicationspecifies an environment to be downloaded. In one embodiment, the sameenvironment identifier used by applications to identify environments toeach other is used to identify an environment to download. In a step606, the environment is downloaded. The environment is stored in step608. The process ends at 610.

Requiring that the instant messaging environment be downloaded from oneor more central sites enables editorial control to be exercised over theenvironments that are sent to users. Obscene environments or otherundesirable environments can be avoided. Also, viruses and othermalicious code can be excluded. In certain embodiments, users may beallowed to create environments and send them to other users, but it isan important feature that in some embodiments, there is at least onemode where environments are only downloaded from a trusted or controlledsource that ensures security and, if desired, some control over content.One important use of instant messaging environments is advertising. Whenan instant messaging environment includes an ad, controlling the sourceof the environment facilitates tracking of the environment use as wellas making sure that the environment is not altered.

It should be noted that when the environment is downloaded, data in theinitialization file for the environment may be separately stored in atable or system registry so that information about loaded environmentsmay be readily accessed by the instant messaging application withoutopening files. For example, if an expiration date is associated with theenvironment, then that date may be written into an expiration table sothat the instant messaging application can either periodically performclean up and delete expired environments or else check before anenvironment is accessed whether or not it has expired. Likewise, thenames of various download environments may be stored in a single tableused to create a list of environments for a menu that facilitates theselection of environments by a user.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a process implemented to clean up anold environment. The process starts at 700. In a step 702, the instantmessaging window is restored to a default state. That may involve, forexample deleting a watermark created by the old environment. The defaultstate may include a default background color, font, style, etc. In step704, any animations or other routines are stopped. In a step 706redefined functions that replace user interface commands are unloaded.The process then ends at 708. It should be noted that other clean upoperations may typically be included in a clean up process.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a process executed by the instantmessaging application in response to a user interface command. Theprocess starts at 800 when the user interface command is received. Instep 802, it is determined whether an overriding or modified functionhas been defined by the currently loaded environment. If no overridingfunction is defined, then control is transferred to a step 808 and theoriginal function is executed. If an overriding or modified functiondoes exist, then control is transferred to step 804 and the overridingfunction is executed. Control is then transferred to a step 806 where itis determined whether the overriding function has set the originalfunction to execute once it has been completed. If the original functionis to execute, then control is transferred to step 808 and the originalfunction is executed. If the original function is not to be executed,then control is transferred to step 810 and the process ends.

Sending environment identifiers between instant messaging applicationsand using the environment identifiers to change the environment of areceiving application has been described. Once this capability ofredefining user interface command functions, executing animations andcreating event driven actions to occur in an instant messaging windowhas been enabled, a rich variety of environments can be defined forinstant messaging applications. Some examples of instant messagingenvironments that may be created are provided in FIGS. 9A through 9C.

FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a cartoon instant messagingenvironment such as the one described above. Characters 902 and 904represent participants in the instant messaging session and text bubbles906 and 908 display the last message sent by each of the participants.This environment is implemented by redefining the append function todelete an existing text bubble above the character representing thesender of the text message and then insert the message being sent into anew text bubble. In addition, the start function of the environmentdeletes all text in the history window and draws in the characters thatare part of the cartoon. In addition, a watermark 910 is provided thatshows the name of the cartoon that is the theme of the environment. Inmany embodiments, the watermark also functions as a link so that a usermay link to a website related to the environment. This technique isespecially useful when the environment is part of an ad campaign.

The instant messaging server may track statistics about environments forvarious reasons. For example, if an environment has an advertisementtheme associated with it, then each time the environment is specified bya user to another user that event may be counted by the server so thatad revenue can be generated. In addition, when certain functions withinthe environment are called as a result of events, the instant messagingserver may record such occurrences as well and those events may alsogenerate ad revenue.

FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating an environment where a snow theme hasbeen implemented. Animated snowflakes 920 fall down the window so longas the environment is active. In addition, a watermark 922 is presentthat provides a link to a site related to snow. Also, when the ring orbuzzer function is called by one of the users, then instead of thegeneral ringing, a snowman 924 appears and flashes. Also, when certaintext is typed in the window such as the word cloud, a cloud 926 appears.

FIG. 9C is a diagram illustrating another environment where the abilityof an environment to interact with another application is illustrated.In the environment shown, a stock ticker obtains information from eitherthe instant messaging program, a browser, or other program that makesstock information available to user. In addition, the environmentincludes a finance watermark link that directs the user to a financialsite. In this environment, when the environment is loaded, a function isperiodically executed that checks for data from the stock tickerapplication. In addition, environments can communicate information toother environments by sending messages. Also, environments can readcertain information available to a messenger program such as a buddylist or in some cases stock quote information.

Procedures for distributing and implementing instant messengerenvironments have been described. A number of exemplary environmentsthat may be created using these procedures have also been shown. Inaddition to being used in instant messaging conversations between twousers, the techniques described herein are also applied to instantmessaging or chat conversations that include three or more users.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail forpurposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certainchanges and modifications may be practiced within the scope of theappended claims. It should be noted that there are many alternative waysof implementing both the process and apparatus of the present invention.Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limitedto the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope andequivalents of the appended claims.

1. A computer-implemented method of sharing an instant messagingenvironment comprising: transmitting an instant messaging environmentidentifier corresponding to a selected instant messaging environmentfrom a transmitting instant messaging application to a receiving instantmessaging application, wherein an instant messaging conversation betweensaid transmitting instant messaging application and said receivinginstant messaging application is displayed in a history window on saidtransmitting instant messaging application and a history window on saidreceiving instant messaging application, and wherein the selectedinstant messaging environment affects at least one of: a) how saidreceiving instant messaging application behaves when the instantmessaging conversation includes certain content; b) the appearance ofthe history window on said receiving instant messaging application; andc) a definition of a user interface command processed by said receivinginstant messaging application; receiving the instant messagingenvironment identifier at the receiving instant messaging application;and activating the selected instant messaging environment in thereceiving instant messaging application.
 2. A method of sharing aninstant messaging environment as recited in claim 1 further includingdetermining whether the transmitting instant messaging application is aneligible instant messaging application.
 3. A method of sharing aninstant messaging environment as recited in claim 1 further includingdetermining whether the selected instant messaging environmentcorresponding to the transmitted instant messaging environmentidentifier is stored on a node comprising the receiving instantmessaging application.
 4. A method of sharing an instant messagingenvironment as recited in claim 1 further including determining whetherthe selected instant messaging environment corresponding to thetransmitted instant messaging environment identifier has expired.
 5. Amethod of sharing an instant messaging environment as recited in claim 1further including downloading the selected instant messaging environmentfrom a source that stores the selected instant messaging environment. 6.A method of sharing an instant messaging environment as recited in claim1 wherein the instant messaging environment identifier is transmittedwith an instant message.
 7. A method of sharing an instant messagingenvironment as recited in claim 1 wherein the selected instant messagingenvironment specifies a background for the history window on saidreceiving instant messaging application.
 8. A method of sharing aninstant messaging environment as recited in claim 1 wherein the selectedinstant messaging environment specifies an animation for the historywindow on said receiving instant messaging application.
 9. A method ofsharing an instant messaging environment as recited in claim 1 whereinthe selected instant messaging environment specifies functions thatexecute when certain words are included in the instant messagingconversation.
 10. A method of sharing an instant messaging environmentas recited in claim 1 wherein the selected instant messaging environmentspecifies functions that execute when certain combinations of words areincluded in the instant messaging conversation.
 11. A method of sharingan instant messaging environment as recited in claim 1 wherein theselected instant messaging environment specifies functions that executewhen certain emoticons are included in the instant messagingconversation.
 12. A method of sharing an instant messaging environmentas recited in claim 1 wherein the selected instant messaging environmentincludes a link.
 13. A method of sharing an instant messagingenvironment as recited in claim 1 wherein the selected instant messagingenvironment includes a watermark.
 14. A method of sharing an instantmessaging environment as recited in claim 1 further including trackingthat an instant messaging environment identifier is sent.
 15. A methodof sharing an instant messaging environment as recited in claim 1further including tracking that a certain function contained in aninstant messaging environment is executed.
 16. A method of sharing aninstant messaging environment as recited in claim 1 wherein the selectedinstant messaging environment affects how said transmitting instantmessaging application behaves when the instant messaging conversationincludes certain content.
 17. A method of sharing an instant messagingenvironment as recited in claim 1 wherein the selected instant messagingenvironment affects the appearance of the history window on saidtransmitting instant messaging application.
 18. A method of sharing aninstant messaging environment as recited in claim 1 wherein the selectedinstant messaging environment affects a definition of a user interfacecommand processed by said transmitting instant messaging application.19. A computer program product for sharing an instant messagingenvironment, the computer program product being embodied in a computerreadable medium and comprising computer executable instructions for:transmitting an instant messaging environment identifier correspondingto a selected instant messaging environment from a transmitting instantmessaging application to a receiving instant messaging application,wherein an instant messaging conversation between said transmittinginstant messaging application and said receiving instant messagingapplication is displayed in a history window on said transmittinginstant messaging application and a history window on said receivinginstant messaging application, and wherein the selected instantmessaging environment affects at least one of: a) how said receivinginstant messaging application behaves when the instant messagingconversation includes certain content; b) the appearance of the historywindow on said receiving instant messaging application; and c) adefinition of a user interface command processed by said receivinginstant messaging application; receiving the instant messagingenvironment identifier at the receiving instant messenger messagingapplication; and activating the selected instant messaging environmentin the receiving instant messaging application.
 20. A system for sharingan instant messaging environment comprising a first instant messagingapplication configured to: transmit an instant messaging environmentidentifier corresponding to a selected instant messaging environment;and a second instant messaging application configured to: receive theinstant messaging environment identifier at the second instant messagingapplication; and activate the selected instant messaging environment inthe second instant messaging application; wherein an instant messagingconversation between said first instant messaging application and saidsecond instant messaging application is displayed in a history window onsaid first instant messaging application and a history window on saidsecond instant messaging application, and wherein the selected instantmessaging environment affects at least one of: a) how said secondinstant messaging application behaves when the instant messagingconversation includes certain content; b) the appearance of the historywindow on said second instant messaging application; and c) a definitionof a user interface command processed by said second instant messagingapplication.
 21. A computer-implemented method of sharing an instantmessaging environment comprising: transmitting an instant messagingenvironment identifier corresponding to a selected instant messagingenvironment from a transmitting instant messaging application to areceiving instant messaging application, wherein an instant messagingconversation between said transmitting instant messaging application andsaid receiving instant messaging application is displayed in a historywindow on said transmitting instant messaging application and a historywindow on said receiving instant messaging application, and wherein theselected instant messaging environment affects at least one of: a) howsaid receiving instant messaging application behaves when the instantmessaging conversation includes certain content; b) the appearance ofthe history window on said receiving instant messaging application; andc) a definition of a user interface command processed by said receivinginstant messaging application; wherein the receiving instant messagingapplication is configured to: receive the instant messaging environmentidentifier at the receiving instant messaging application; retrieve astored instant messaging environment corresponding to the instantmessaging environment identifier; and activate the retrieved instantmessaging environment in the receiving instant messaging application.22. A computer program product for sharing an instant messagingenvironment, the computer program product being embodied in a computerreadable medium and comprising computer executable instructions for:selecting the instant messaging environment from a set of stored instantmessaging environments; and transmitting an instant messagingenvironment identifier corresponding to the selected instant messagingenvironment from a transmitting instant messaging application to areceiving instant messaging application, wherein an instant messagingconversation between said transmitting instant messaging application andsaid receiving instant messaging application is displayed in a historywindow on said transmitting instant messaging application and a historywindow on said receiving instant messaging application, and wherein theselected instant messaging environment affects at least one of: a) howsaid receiving instant messaging application behaves when the instantmessaging conversation includes certain content; b) the appearance ofthe history window on said receiving instant messaging application; andc) a definition of a user interface command processed by said receivinginstant messaging application; wherein the receiving instant messagingapplication is configured to: receive the instant messaging environmentidentifier at the receiving instant messaging application; retrieve astored instant messaging environment corresponding to the instantmessaging environment identifier; and activate the retrieved instantmessaging environment in the receiving instant messaging application.23. A system for sharing an instant messaging environment comprising: amemory configured to store a set of instant messaging environments; aprocessor configured to select the instant messaging environment fromthe set of stored instant messaging environments; and an interfaceconfigured to transmit an instant messaging environment identifiercorresponding to the selected instant messaging environment, wherein aninstant messaging conversation between a transmitting instant messagingapplication and a receiving instant messaging application is displayedin a history window on said transmitting instant messaging applicationand a history window on said receiving instant messaging application,and wherein the selected instant messaging environment affects at leastone of: a) how said receiving instant messaging application behaves whenthe instant messaging conversation includes certain content; b) theappearance of the history window on said receiving instant messagingapplication; and c) a definition of a user interface command processedby said receiving instant messaging application.
 24. Acomputer-implemented method of implementing an instant messagingenvironment comprising: receiving an instant messaging environmentidentifier at a receiving instant messaging application; retrieving astored instant messaging environment corresponding to the instantmessaging environment identifier; and activating the retrieved instantmessaging environment, wherein an instant messaging conversation betweena transmitting instant messaging application and said receiving instantmessaging application is displayed in a history window on saidtransmitting instant messaging application and a history window on saidreceiving instant messaging application, and wherein the selectedinstant messaging environment affects at least one of: a) how saidreceiving instant messaging application behaves when the instantmessaging conversation includes certain content; b) the appearance ofthe history window on said receiving instant messaging application; andc) a definition of a user interface command processed by said receivinginstant messaging application.
 25. A computer program product forimplementing an instant messaging environment, the computer programproduct being embodied in a computer readable medium and comprisingcomputer executable instructions for: retrieving a stored instantmessaging environment corresponding to the instant messaging environmentidentifier; and activating the retrieved instant messaging environment,wherein an instant messaging conversation between a transmitting instantmessaging application and a receiving instant messaging application isdisplayed in a history window on said transmitting instant messagingapplication and a history window on said receiving instant messagingapplication, and wherein the selected instant messaging environmentaffects at least one of: a) how said receiving instant messagingapplication behaves when the instant messaging conversation includescertain content; b) the appearance of the history window on saidreceiving instant messaging application; and c) a definition of a userinterface command processed by said receiving instant messagingapplication.
 26. A system for implementing an instant messagingenvironment comprising: an interface configured to receive an instantmessaging environment identifier at a receiving instant messagingapplication; a memory configured to store instant messagingenvironments; and a processor configured to retrieve from the memory astored instant messaging environment corresponding to the instantmessaging environment identifier and to activate the retrieved instantmessaging environment, wherein an instant messaging conversation betweena transmitting instant messaging application and a receiving instantmessaging application is displayed in a history window on saidtransmitting instant messaging application and a history window on saidreceiving instant messaging application, and wherein the selectedinstant messaging environment affects at least one of: a) how saidreceiving instant messaging application behaves when the instantmessaging conversation includes certain content; b) the appearance ofthe history window on said receiving instant messaging application; andc) a definition of a user interface command processed by said receivinginstant messaging application.